The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73323

Momi E. Ka`ano`i, MD¹, Megan L. Fong, BA¹, Martina Kamaka, MD¹, and Kathryn Braun, DrPH². (1) `Imi Hale Native Hawaiian Cancer Network, 894 Queen Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, (808) 597-6558, mfong@papaolalokahi.org, (2) Public Health Sciences and Epidemiology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed. D-203, Honolulu, HI 96822

Issues: Although colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Native Hawaiian males and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Native Hawaiian females, Native Hawaiians have the lowest rates of colorectal cancer screening. Description: This project piloted a culturally appropriate intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening among members of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Intervention groups received education by a Native Hawaiian physician, heard a testimonial from a Native Hawaiian colorectal cancer survivor, and watched a screening demonstration; these components were deemed important by Civic Club members who participated in research to design the intervention. Control groups received education from a non-Hawaiian nurse. Both groups were offered free colorectal cancer screening. Lessons Learned: Pre-test data from 197 participants showed that 61% of participants aged 50 and older were current with colorectal cancer screening, compared with a rate of 12% among Civic Club members who participated in research to design the intervention. The free screening test was completed by 26% in the experimental groups and 27% in the control groups. Data suggest that the Civic Club members already had high screening compliance rates, which decreased our ability to test the intervention’s effectiveness. Investigators are revisiting Civic Clubs to share data and solicit feedback on the intervention. Recommendations: Research done in the Native Hawaiian community should incorporate an iterative process, gathering data useful in intervention design, sharing findings, and getting feedback.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe colorectal cancer burden in Native Hawaiian community;
• Identify 2 ways in which iterative research is valuable;
• Identify 2 challenges to doing controlled studies in naturally occurring groups

Keywords: Native Populations, Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.